An environmental campaign group is throwing its support behind proposals to seize the vehicles of people caught fly-tipping in the Hertfordshire countryside.

The Country Land & Business Association (CLA), which represents farmers, landowners and rural businesses, has indicated in a Government consultation on fly-tipping that it backs stronger action against those involved in the crime.

Statistics suggest that there is a fly-tipping incident every 30 seconds in England - equating to 107,000 a month.

CLA East regional director Ben Underwood said: "Fly-tipping is a serious issue for landowners in Hertfordshire and across the whole of the eastern region. It blights the countryside and we have called for culprits to be dealt with more robustly for years.

"Fly-tipping is often conducted by organised criminal gangs and we see the power to remove vehicles as a positive step forward in reducing incidences of fly-tipping.

"Landowners remain liable for any waste that is fly-tipped on their land and can be prosecuted if they do not clear it away.

"It costs rural businesses up to £150million in clean-up costs every year. If new powers can reduce it by as little as two percent, we are optimistic this could lead to at least £15million of savings every five years for private landowners.

"These measures should come into force as soon as possible and must be backed up by the Police and councils treating the catching of offenders as a local priority."

CLA Hertfordshire branch committee chairman Lindsay Sinclair said: "Fly-tipping remains a problem in Hertfordshire and the St Albans area, and the CLA supports the efforts of local authorities, police and other partner organisations in tackling this pernicious crime.

"One St Albans farmer hit the headlines last year after revealing that he was hit by fly-tipping three times a week, and had experienced asbestos being dumped on his land.

"While the CLA continues to campaign for changes to the law, we’re working with councils, Police and other countryside organisations in the county to ensure landowners know what they can do to make sure they are not the victims of fly-tipping. We’re also working hard to make the public aware of its duty of care to ensure that waste is disposed of responsibly."

CLA East is currently seeking evidence of fly-tipping that has taken place in Hertfordshire.

Photographs of the result, with details of date, location and any further information can be emailed to east@cla.org.uk

Landowners should report instances to their local authority first, but if they see a crime in progress they should call the police immediately.